Sandwich Panel Protective Edge Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sandwich panels used in harsh environments are prone to damage and delamination due to external loads, particularly at the edges, which compromises their structural integrity and resilience.
Innovation Solution
A sandwich panel assembly with a protective edge that extends along the circumferential direction of the panel, featuring a first leg merging into a second leg via a bending radius, attached to the cover layers, and a core layer with increased stability through cavity filling, to prevent delamination and protect against external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If sandwich panels are used in harsh environments with external loads, then they provide lightweight protection, but the edges become susceptible to damage and delamination
Solution Approach 1:
The protective edge is attached to the sandwich panel before the panel is subjected to external loads in harsh environments. This preliminary protective measure prevents damage and delamination from occurring in the first place, rather than addressing them after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective edge acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and distributes external forces before they can reach the vulnerable edges of the sandwich panel. This beforehand cushioning prevents the concentration of stresses that would otherwise lead to delamination and structural failure.
2Reliability
If the protective edge is attached to the face sheet, then it protects against external access to the outer edge, but it requires additional structural elements
Solution Approach 1:
The protective edge is designed as a thin-walled structural element with first and second legs that can be attached to the face sheet. This thin-film approach provides effective edge protection without requiring bulky or complex structural additions to the sandwich panel.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
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AI summary
A sandwich panel arrangement (10) comprises a sandwich panel (100) and a protective edge (150). The sandwich panel (100) has a first face layer (110), a second face layer (120), and a core layer (130). The core layer (130) is located between the two face layers and is connected to both face layers. The sandwich panel (100) is bounded by a circumferential outer edge (105) and a side surface forming the outer edge (105). The protective edge (150) is attached to the first face layer (110) and extends in a circumferential direction (102) of the sandwich panel (100) along at least one section of the side surface, thereby at least partially covering the side edge forming the outer edge (105) against external access.